Drop raft apparatus



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DROP RFT APPARATUS Film AugT 2e, 1935 lNvENToR HORA CE M. F/NCH ATTORNEY `Patented Oct. 19, 1937 uNiTEo, sTATl-:s

PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

(Cl. A9-11) (Granted under the am of Marche, 1883,` as amended April so, 192s; 37o o. G. '157) This invention relates to a drop raft apparatus, and has for an object an improvement in rafts which are self -inflating Air inatable rafts have been carried for lsome time for use in emergencies, particularly by seaplanes or airplanes and lighter-than-air craft operating over water. In an emergency, such as requiring a forced landing it is particularly desirable that the life raft be available foruse as quickly as possible and with a minimumof preparation bythe crew.

The raft embodying this invention is to be carried in a pack from which it is self-emerging and `so as to occupy a minimum of space, which is always at a premium in aircraft.

l5 As a further feature, the raft of this invention is provided with a gas bottle carrying a sufficient quantity of carbon dioxide, or other gas, under pressure to completely inflate the raft. With this invention the raft need merely be cast overboard,

the opening action of the raft, which action is automatically carried on and completed, either as the raft is falling or after it has alighted on the surface of the water.

g5 With the foregoing and other objects in view,

the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be described more fully hereafter.

In the drawing: Y

Fig. 1 is a planview of the inflated raft;

Fig. 2 is a sectionalview on line 2-2 loit' Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an edge view of the container'with the raft pack therein, and

Fig. l is an edge view of the container after the raft has commenced to innate and emerge therefrom. i f

' There is shown at I0 the self-inating raft of this invention, which comprises an endless tube II held in suitable raft shape by means of a flexible bottom I2, securedalong one side of the Atube I I. v Secured midway between the sides of the tube I I is a seat I3 which may alsoserve for storage of emergency provisions. Secured beneath the seatI3 to the bottom I2 is a gas bottle 45 I4 connected by small tubing I5 to the raft tube I I. A valve I6 is provided for operation by means of a painter I1 so that a pull on the lanyard or painterl'l will cause the valve i6 todischarge the gas 4from the bottle I4 through the tubing I5 to-the raft tube I I. A portable, flexible container I8 having a handle I9 is provided for holding the f an opening having a separable fastener whereby raft I0 therein in`l folded position, the raft Ill having its ends folded toward the middle with the painter I1 projecting therefrom and having a section thereof coiled Within the pocket 4 a painter being attached thereto for initiating the other end 2I of the lanyard or painter being adapted to be held in the hand or suitably secured for operation. 'I'he container I8 is provided with a separable fastener 22 permitting the raft I0 to be packed therein. Another open- 5 ing 23 is provided, whichis held closed by means of breakable stitches 24.

In operation, the end 2l of the painter I'I is suitably secured or held in the hand when the Vcontainer I8 including-the raft I0 is cast overl0 board, either when the aircraft is in the air or after it has alighted on the surface of the water. When cast overboard from the air the length of the lanyard or painter I1 within the pocket 20 permits the container I8 to drop a suiiicienty dis- 15 tance to prevent fouling the tail `surfaces of the aircraft. As soon as the container I8 has fallen a suicient distance, the lanyard or painter I1 operates the valve I6 to permit the gas from the bottle I4 to enter the raft tube II. The raft 20 immediately commences to swell up and the pressure is sufficient to break the stitches 24 over the opening 23, and permits the raft to emerge and .assume the fully inflated position shown in Figs.

1 and 2. v

By placing the weightof the gas bottle Ill and seat I3 substantially at the midline and somewhat below the center of gravity, it has been found that when dropped overboard from the vessel in the air, the raft will inflate within approximately five seconds after it has been cast loose and will then approach the surface of the water with a falling leaf motion and land right side up, ready for immediate use.

Other modifications and changes in the proportions and arrangements of the parts may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the nature and scope of the invention.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of l the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

' Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of this invention, what is claimed is:

l. For use with a self-inflatable folded life raft'having a gas pressure bottle connected thereto and including a valve for controlling 4the discharge of gas fromthe bottle to the raft; a flexible, portable container, said container having the life raft may be placed therein, and an additional opening, breakable means closing said additional opening, and valve actuating means extending outside of said container whereby the inilation of said raft may be initiated while within said container to break said means and emerge through said additional opening from said container.

2. For use with a self-inflatable folded life raft having a gas pressure bottle connected thereto and including a valve for controlling the discharge of gas to the raft; a flexible, portable container, said container having an opening having a separable fastener whereby the life raft may be placed therein. and an additional opening, breakable means closing said additional opening, and Valve actuating means extending outsideof said container whereby the inflation of the rait may be initiated while within said container to break said breakable means and emerge through said additional opening from said container, said valve actuating means comprising a lanyard, and a pocket on the outside of said container for holding 4a substantial length of said lanyard disposed therein.

3. The combination of a self-inaiaable folded life raft. a gas bottle connected thereto, a valve for controlling the discharge of gas from said gas bottle to said raft, -a flexible portable container having an easily closable opening through which 4the raft is placed therein and a second opening closed by breakable meansand a valve actuating lanyard extending externally of said container whereby inflation of said raft may be commenced while Within said container, causing the raft to break said breakable means and emerge from the container. Y

HORACE M. FINCH. 

